Music programs

As a music major, you’ll study both historic and modern traditions and perform a variety of Western and non-Western music. We pursue excellence in the study, practice and performance of each piece of music, so you’ll be challenged and encouraged by your professors, peers and private tutors as you scale new heights with your musical ability and artistry.

Music Education - Secondary Endorsement

Students majoring in secondary music education must complete the requirements of the secondary education program (see education department listing for requirements), the requirements of the music major, and the courses in instrumental and/or vocal music listed below:

Instrumental music

Class or private instruction in major instrumental area: 2 credits

Class or private instruction in secondary instrumental area: 1 credit

Ensemble participation: 1 credit (must be instrumental)

MUS 215 - Survey of Instrumental Literature

(1 credit, alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the core and standard repertoire for bands and orchestras from a variety of levels. Emphasis will be music suitable for educational settings. In addition, literature for collegiate ensembles will be presented. This course is designed to provide the student with the resources necessary to program band or orchestra literature in a school setting. Prerequisite: MUS112.

MUS 224 - Methods of Teaching Brass Instruments

(1 credit) This course is required for students who have selected a career concentration in instrumental music education. Students will acquire a basic playing facility for at least two instruments in each generic category. The course will familiarize students with concepts and procedures that will enable them to teach wind, percussion, and string instruments to students at the elementary and secondary levels.

MUS 225 - Methods of Teaching Woodwind Instruments

(1 credit) This course is required for students who have selected a career concentration in instrumental music education. Students will acquire a basic playing facility for at least two instruments in each generic category. The course will familiarize students with concepts and procedures that will enable them to teach wind, percussion, and string instruments to students at the elementary and secondary levels.

MUS 226 - Methods of Teaching Percussion Instruments

(1 credit) This course is required for students who have selected a career concentration in instrumental music education. Students will acquire a basic playing facility for at least two instruments in each generic category. The course will familiarize students with concepts and procedures that will enable them to teach wind, percussion, and string instruments to students at the elementary and secondary levels.

MUS 227 - Methods of Teaching String Instruments

(1 credit) This course is required for students who have selected a career concentration in instrumental music education. Students will acquire a basic playing facility for at least two instruments in each generic category. The course will familiarize students with concepts and procedures that will enable them to teach wind, percussion, and string instruments to students at the elementary and secondary levels.

MUS 302 - Advanced Conducting

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to further develop the student's basic conducting skills. The student will learn how to interpret stylistically the intentions of a composer and how to rehearse effectively. Compositions for band, choir and orchestra are studied. Included in the course are studies in score preparation, clef reading, transposition, rehearsal techniques, and error detection. Prerequisite: MUS301.

MUS 303 - Orchestration

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course provides the students with the principles of scoring for small string and wind ensembles, symphonic orchestra and symphonic band. The study of range, proper notation, transposition and the characteristics of orchestra and band instruments are included. Prerequisite: MUS112.

MUS 307 - Teaching Elementary Music

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to prepare students who are music majors or minors for teaching in the elementary school. Students, who anticipate becoming specialists, will learn how to teach music to children through traditional methods, as well as through innovations of leading European and American educators. Students will learn how to establish curriculum's for music education that utilize learning strategies encompassed by the conceptual approach. State INTASC Standards, as well as National Music Standards, will be reviewed and applied. Four areas of musical study will be emphasized: historical, philosophical, content and methodology. Students will do guided practice in class teaching assignments. Prerequisite: MUS112.

MUS 309 - Teaching Instrumental Music

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course deals with techniques, literature and materials used for teaching instrumental music at the elementary and secondary levels. A primary emphasis of the course is the study of educational philosophy. Score reading and analysis of wind, percussion and string music, discussion of rehearsal procedures, and the study and observation of marching band techniques are also covered in the course.

MUS 325 - Recital

(1 credit) This course is to be taken along with one credit of applied instruction during the semester in which the degree recital is given. The student will be required to select music of representative styles and periods, research and write program notes, pass the pre-recital jury one month prior to the recital, and give the public performance. Prerequisite: junior class standing or after four semesters of applied study.

Total credits required: 19

Vocal music

Class or private instruction in voice: 2 credits

Ensemble participation: 1 credit (must be vocal)

MUS 217 - Vocal Pedagogy

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course deals with the vocal processes, including the anatomy and physiology of the vocal tract. Included in this course is a survey of pedagogical approaches and vocal literature appropriate for the beginning student. Prerequisite: MUS261 or permission of instructor.

MUS 218 - Vocal Diction

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to acquaint the student with the singer's pronunciation of English, French, German, Italian and Latin, using the standard International Phonetic Alphabet. Prerequisite: applied voice or permission of instructor.

MUS 219 - Survey of Choral Literature

(1 credit, alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to provide the student with an overview of the core and standard repertoire for choral ensembles from a variety of levels. Primary emphasis will be music for educational settings. In addition, literature for advanced and collegiate ensembles will be presented. This course is designed to provide the student with the resources necessary to program choral literature in a school setting. Prerequisite: MUS112 or permission of instructor.

MUS 220 - Survey of Vocal Literature

(1 credit, alternative years, consult department) A survey of solo vocal literature
from 1585 to the present. This course provides students with repertoire lists
suitable for teaching studio and for high school solo vocal contests.
Prerequisite: MUS261.

MUS 302 - Advanced Conducting

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to further develop the student's basic conducting skills. The student will learn how to interpret stylistically the intentions of a composer and how to rehearse effectively. Compositions for band, choir and orchestra are studied. Included in the course are studies in score preparation, clef reading, transposition, rehearsal techniques, and error detection. Prerequisite: MUS301.

MUS 307 - Teaching Elementary Vocal Music

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course is designed to prepare students who are music majors or minors for teaching in the elementary school. Students, who anticipate becoming specialists, will learn how to teach music to children through traditional methods, as well as through innovations of leading European and American educators. Students will learn how to establish curriculum's for music education that utilize learning strategies encompassed by the conceptual approach. State INTASC Standards, as well as National Music Standards, will be reviewed and applied. Four areas of musical study will be emphasized: historical, philosophical, content and methodology. Students will do guided practice in class teaching assignments. Prerequisite: MUS112.

MUS 308 - Teaching Secondary Vocal Music

(2 credits, alternate years, consult department) This course deals with the areas of curriculum, materials and methodology for teaching music in both non-performance and performance situations. Prerequisite: MUS112.

MUS 325 - Recital

(1 credit) This course is to be taken along with one credit of applied instruction during the semester in which the degree recital is given. The student will be required to select music of representative styles and periods, research and write program notes, pass the pre-recital jury one month prior to the recital, and give the public performance. Prerequisite: junior class standing or after four semesters of applied study.

Choose two courses

MUS 224 - Methods of Teaching Brass Instruments

(1 credit) This course is required for students who have selected a career concentration in instrumental music education. Students will acquire a basic playing facility for at least two instruments in each generic category. The course will familiarize students with concepts and procedures that will enable them to teach wind, percussion, and string instruments to students at the elementary and secondary levels.

MUS 225 - Methods of Teaching Woodwind Instruments

(1 credit) This course is required for students who have selected a career concentration in instrumental music education. Students will acquire a basic playing facility for at least two instruments in each generic category. The course will familiarize students with concepts and procedures that will enable them to teach wind, percussion, and string instruments to students at the elementary and secondary levels.

MUS 226 - Methods of Teaching Percussion Instruments

(1 credit) This course is required for students who have selected a career concentration in instrumental music education. Students will acquire a basic playing facility for at least two instruments in each generic category. The course will familiarize students with concepts and procedures that will enable them to teach wind, percussion, and string instruments to students at the elementary and secondary levels.

MUS 227 - Methods of Teaching String Instruments

(1 credit) This course is required for students who have selected a career concentration in instrumental music education. Students will acquire a basic playing facility for at least two instruments in each generic category. The course will familiarize students with concepts and procedures that will enable them to teach wind, percussion, and string instruments to students at the elementary and secondary levels.